ROCKFORD - The Belvidere North cheerleading team members walked onto the floor holding hands as they took their places around the competitive mat Thursday at Boylan High School.

By the time the competition was over, those same team members were holding the NIC-10 championship together, winning the title with a 91.63 score.

The title is the third straight for North, which joined Belvidere and Hononegah as the only schools to win three conference titles.

"We had pretty high expectations, and it's nice to win it again," North senior Brooke Jenkins said.

North took the mat second to last before a loud cheering crowd. The Blue Thunder's routine consisted of a series of stunts, tumbling and complicated lifts, which required energy and timing. The routine did receive a 1.00 deduction, but it wasn't enough for any teams to overtake North. Two teams - Guilford and Harlem - finished second (89.57) and third (86.40), respectively, and had no deductions.

"One of our goals coming into the season was to win conference," North co-coach Keith Watson said. "We have some things to work on, but overall, we did excellent. It was the best we've done all year."

North, which will compete in the co-ed division at Saturday's Grayslake (North) Sectional, had 10 boys and 10 girls compete in Thursday's performance.

"It's been so much fun this year being on the team," said senior Brandon Lamprich, a two-year varsity member. "We wanted to come out and have fun here."

Hononegah, which was the second team to perform on the night, finished fourth with an 85.07 score, followed by Belvidere 84.70, East 83.47, Boylan 83.23, Freeport 78.83, Jefferson 76.13 and Auburn 71.90.